Recovery at Hand??? Or, Pause in the Decline?

We have the futures looking up this morning. But, let’s pose the really important question: Has the global turmoil, competitive currency devaluations, and such all passed us by? OR is the alternative explanation – this is a pause – a more likely explaination?

Obviously, my vote would be for the latter for a couple of reasons, though solid they are:

Japan pulled up a bit from the 16,000 level of the Nikkei, which has some psychological impact.

Hong Kong was up overnight as well.

Psychology is in play in Europe, as well: The German market is back over the 10,000 level and again, psychology is in play.

The key thing to remember and which we pioneered in our Global Aggregate Index, is that all markets worldwide are tied together by hooks and crooks these days. As goes the world, so too goes the USA to some extent.

Of sure, we will get some benefit from a “flight to safety” rally now and then, but for the most part, if the global picture is up half a percent, then the US will likely be around that area in short order. Or, if there’s a big decline (like last week’s roughly 1,200 points off our Global Index) then there should be a break in the party now and then, but the main trend is (until broken) a slip and slide to the downside.

Now, as to this morning’s position?

The Dow futures were up about 60…and there’s little until a wholesale trade number later on.

The Long Wave in economics is still likely building to a finale around 2017 to 2018 – and who knows…maybe 2020 with enough paper throwing.

But the fact is that what cost 4-cents in 1913 when the idea of slowly hollowing out the US Dollar started, now costs a buck…and that’s an after-tax buck, which makes the comparison even worse.

When a nation’s money begins to steamroll in declining value, people move money into tangible goods. For clear examples see the Weimar Republic of 1920s Germany, or here more recently, the runaway inflation of Zimbabwe (where I am a trillionaire, by the way). The metals are not crashing because at some level, people know this, but its hard to articulate and besides: No one likes to talk about sinking when you’re still in the deck chair on the Lido Deck of the Titanic.

Statistically: Hillary

If I was trying to influence your thinking on the suitability of Hillary Clinton to hold high (or any other) office, I would suggested you Google [Clinton + body count] and get some education.

Or, if you’re a good little job-bot, don’t. Just do as programmed, which is what robots do.

Just for the hell of it, one of these morning’s I will publish a morning column devoid of politics and crime.

Then you’ll see how little actual news there is in the world..and how the number of available news minutes, pixels and streams vastly outstrips available (real) content.

Still, even that wouldn’t help. Someone or other is bound to launch a Kardashian Channel which would be pimped out on social, become the viral whatever, see a stunning IPO and I will be left in shock and awe of business models once again.

Watch for the Back-Up Distraction

I’m pretty sure the competent survivors of our recent high-end military purges have a pretty good idea of how close to the Chinese islands an American ship can go before an international altercation begins.

Still, it could be lopsided because when (not so much an if) we really go toe-to-toe with China, all we need to do is impound the Chinese property purchased in the US. Game and mate.

Or, at least until the first missiles launch…

Speaking of Missile Launches

Our oak leaf cluster fellow (warhammer) has been looking at another “tuneable distraction” with some concern:

“George,

Disturbing if not unexpected news that the Iranian Islamic Republic can theoretically wipe Israel off the map:

1) Israel has a few kick-ass ballistic missile defense systems, chief among them their own Iron Dome all-weather defense system and newly demonstrated ‘David’s Sling, which can deal with salvos of incoming missile. These are augmented by several American built Patriot missile defense systems made famous during the Gulf Wars

2) To achieve the purported 8 meter accuracy (26 feet) of their new missiles, the Iranian must rely upon GPS for guidance. The Israeli’s can monitor Iranian missile site activity and, when things get dicey, the IDF can activate various GPS jammers (UAV, satellite, ground systems/vehicles, etc.) to degrade the advertised pin-point Iranian accuracy

3) My bet is that before the Iranians could push the launch button, the Mossad would hand Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s ass to him in a sandwich bag.

Iran has no surprises that Israel cannot counter in spades. And once Iran points and shoots a missile at the Jewish state, all Israel’s cards will be on the table. Recall Israel reportedly has somewhere between 80 and 400 nuclear warheads. The IDF keeps at least two diesel-electric subs carrying nuclear payloads deployed at all times. Do those stealthy subs have nukes? Safe bet is that if they don’t, sub tenders can deliver the goods lickity split. My bet is that IDF fighter/bombers and missiles are also loaded for Golden Eagle (Iran’s national symbol).

So Iran is all bluster for the moment. But if Russia or Syria join into Iran’s games, buckle up.

Cheers,”

There is another exciting game one can play with this data, if you happen to keep Microsoft Streets and Trips loaded for news analytics: Draw the circle from Tehran to the farthest corners of Israel and see what else is in the circle and, oh, Sunni or American-supported.

The Death of Common Sense Compensation

As you know, I have over the past half-century designed a lot of compensation plans for different sales organizations.

And I’d like to suggest that HR weenies and Boards commit to something innovative when comes to executive compensation.

How about paying this highway robbers just three percent of the return to shareholders and investors. Naturally, the numbers would need to be massaged more, but every year we see stories about how much CEO’s make but when comes down to it, their comp is sometimes (often?) more than the people who put real money at risk.

If a company made a million bucks then it’s a $30,000 bonus. If the company made $100 million, then it would be a $3 mil bonus.

I’d also take accounting moves off the table, as well. Anyone can sell off a division and fatten a bottom line. Or, a 10% bonus during the first 4 years of a new product from inception through research through launch and 2 years of retail.

That’s something to think about – make those phat cats who are up in the one percent get off their asses and do some innovating and selling.

Oh, wait…they are too fat and lazy to do that. Why bother when you can just offshore manufacturing and make a pile that way?

Only some of the problems of American can be laid at the feet of the Obama-Ryan party and the lobbyistas who pull the strings.

The rest is due to Boards and comp committees that are not doing their part to make America great.

11 Comments

Wave Crave on May 11, 2016 at 06:54

Yes, George and along with the Clinton body bags no doubt Obama wasn’t born in this country and is a Muslim. Can anyone reconcile their belief that Obama is a Muslim with their rage because Obama sat in Rev. Wright’s church for decades? Was Obama a Muslim then too? People ignoring common sense because it conflicts with their opinion.

Conversion on May 11, 2016 at 12:37

Yes Obama was a Muslim when he sat in Rev Wright’s church. He certainly isn’t a Christian or he would have stood up for Rev Wright’s racist rhetoric, but he didn’t, not publicly, anyway. Why can’t a person be RAISED a Muslim and convert to Christianity because it looks good and STAY a Muslim at heart. You know, once a Muslim, ALWAYS a Muslim?

edward roeckel on May 10, 2016 at 14:43

He guys. Forget about the economics for a moment. What bathroom do I use? When I looked in the mirror this morning I was a man. Now this afternoon I’m not so sure.

DrZhivago on May 10, 2016 at 11:30

The Boards do nothing because they are bought and paid for with fat compensation.

Sherlyn Lampe on May 10, 2016 at 10:56

The Alliance headed up by BRICS is reported to have been infiltrated by the Cabal. Nonetheless, they are making progress on knocking the Cabal off the global pedestal. If and when that happens, the US economy goes in the crapper. And sadly, I can say it is deserved due to the inaction of the people for decades. We allowed criminals to rule us and even voted for them. It will only be by the grace of God if humanity survives this century.

JLOMA on May 11, 2016 at 05:54

Amen…..What gives any of us the right to complain about what they have done or haven’t done.. when we keep putting the same inept people back in office decade after decade after decade.. we already know they do a crappy job. they could care less about even reading the material that affects all of us or themselves for that matter or even showing up for work when they do work.. what a month of days out of a year.. We have no reasons to complain .. smack.. can I have another sir.. smack..

mojo on May 10, 2016 at 10:53

Iran will not go after Isreal, but if they ever did, they would have tacit approval by China and Russia if not their outright assistance. Because once Israel is attacked, the whole ME would be inflamed beyond quiescence.. It would be like WWIII starting.

nedders1 on May 10, 2016 at 15:17

“beyond quiescence”…. wtf …not an appropriate use of this word so if you are going to use a 10 dollar word when a 1 dollar word suffices, then please learn to use it correctly….

I don’t know the bill reference number.. but the above story kicks in with what in the heck is a matter with congress forget that I think they are all incompetent idiots bent on self and driven by the influence of big money and special interest groups.. what about the fools that keep voting these people back in office decade after decade no matter how crappy their work ethic and work history is, instead they campaign drag out a dead horse issue to drag around the arena of daily news and they are back in…. I am willing to bet they don’t even know that in one bill they voted in has a clause in it that allows the ultimate dissolution of congress.. that in the event of a catastrophic event or situation they can be removed from office by any means LOL LOL. and what only a limited number voted against this bill If I remember right there was four or six people that voted against it ( oh and Obama had to be either in grade school or middle school when that bill got voted in so he is clear of being blamed for it..).I can tell you.. that the day I read that bill and the vote results I had a headache for the most of the day from the coffee that squirted out my nose…I am pretty sure most of it had to be an auto vote at three in the morning.. I am willing to bet they didn’t even read the summary paragraph ( I call that paragraph the smoke puffer paragraph. You know the one..here let me bend over while you puff smoke up my….) enough of my ranting ..I just read the news and think.. what in the #$%^ are these idiots thinking..forget what I or anyone else thinks or feels should be done.. lets just say.. why don’t they use some common sense.. Or is all of this the result of predictions from a higher power that were written thousands of years ago.. I just have to stay away from the newshttp://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?tfp_display=map&tfp_region=USA&tfp_sort_by=state

JLOMA on May 10, 2016 at 10:06

I read the news.. watch what is going on in the world.. the hate, greed, how we have reduced ourselves to a lower level of self.. then this song comes along.. reminds me of dreams I have had..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4